What are cortisol cocktails? The trend that's helping people feel less tired and more balanced

You’ve probably heard someone mention “cortisol cocktails” on a podcast, in a wellness blog, or maybe even through a friend who's been on a health kick. Despite the name, these drinks have nothing to do with alcohol or fancy mixology. Instead, they’re part of a rising trend in nutritional support for people who feel constantly tired, wired, or both. So what exactly is a cortisol cocktail? Is it worth the hype, or just another wellness trend? The answer depends on how your mornings feel and what your body might be missing.

Cortisol is one of those words people usually associate with stress. It’s often labeled as the “stress hormone,” but that’s only one part of the story. Cortisol is also what helps you wake up in the morning, keeps your blood sugar in check, and even supports memory and energy. Your body naturally releases the highest amount of cortisol in the early morning, kind of like flipping the switch on your internal engine.

When your body’s under chronic stress (not enough sleep, too much caffeine, skipping meals), cortisol patterns can get out of sync. That’s when symptoms like morning fatigue, brain fog, or mid-day crashes often show up. It’s not that your body isn’t producing cortisol, it’s that it might be struggling to regulate it properly.

What’s actually in a cortisol cocktail?
The basic idea is simple. A cortisol cocktail is a drink made with ingredients that support adrenal function and blood sugar stability, two things that influence how cortisol behaves. The most common recipe includes:

• Orange juice (about ¼ to ½ cup): Not just for flavor, but to provide natural sugar and vitamin C
• A pinch of sea salt: Helps with hydration and supplies minerals like sodium and magnesium
• A dash of coconut oil: A source of potassium, which balances out the sodium
• Optional add-ins: Collagen powder for protein, or magnesium if you tend to feel anxious

It’s often recommended to drink this first thing in the morning, ideally before coffee or breakfast. Some reports also suggest drinking it before going to bed. Some people use it as a gentle wake-up tool for the nervous system. Others turn to it to reduce reliance on caffeine and support steadier energy throughout the day.

Is it for everyone?Probably not. If your energy is already balanced and you’re eating regular meals, a cortisol cocktail might not change much. It’s also not a fix for underlying medical issues, like adrenal disorders or thyroid conditions. Still, if mornings are rough and you’re looking for a gentle way to support your energy levels naturally, it could be worth trying for a week or two.

Also, if you have blood sugar issues, avoid it. "Yes. Since you make adrenal cocktails with orange juice, drinking them will increase your blood sugar," says a WebMD report.

There’s no magic in the name, and the recipe itself is incredibly simple. But sometimes the small things like minerals, hydration, and timing make a surprising difference. A cortisol cocktail isn’t about jumping on a trend. It’s about noticing how your body feels in the morning and giving it a bit of quiet support to start the day right.

And no, you don’t need a fancy blender. Just a glass, a spoon, and a little curiosity.